THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE
"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." (Gal 4:28 KJV)
Devotion 11 of 15

JESUS CAME TO FREE US

The Lord Jesus came to free humanity to come to God. He came that the "children of promise" might be bound no longer by sin and death. With a triumphant note He shouts, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). There is no freedom like spiritual freedom! There is no liberator like Christ Jesus! Those who are freed by Jesus are free in the truest and most extensive sense of the word.

Child of promise, you have been made free for freedom! You have been liberated to occupy the realm of liberty. You can soar with eagles wings into heavenly places, and there enjoy "all spiritual blessings" (Eph 1:3; 2:6). You are free to put on the "whole armor of God" (Eph 6:10-18). You are free to bear the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22-23). You are a child of promise, and you are free! You are free to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace," that you "may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:16). You are free to "resist the devil" (James 4:7) and be "zealous for good works" (Tit 2:14).

The Truth Can Escape You

It is possible for the glory of this situation to escape your attention. Indeed, it is! It is possible to spend your time speaking of what you should do, and never to get it done. But in Christ you are a child of promise! You have been made free for freedom. Instead of talking about what should be done, you can be up and doing it. You have been freed to do it. You have been promised good things if you embrace the Son of God by faith.

You know there is no good thing promised to those who refrain from doing to the will of the Lord! Exercise your freedom! You are a child of promise!

Children of Promise in Heirship

The subject of heirship has a powerful influence upon the soul. The Lord has called us to obtain an inheritance, and a marvelous one it is! In the case of Ishmael and Isaac, they both could not inherit the promise. Only the "child of promise" has right to the promise! Only the one "born of the Spirit" can possess the things of the Spirit! It is true, Ishmael and Isaac lived together for a while. However, the time came when they had to separate. Those in bondage had to be removed. Not only were they unqualified to possess the inheritance, they jeopardized the one that had the promises. Thus, the word of the Lord is clear. "'CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.' So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman."

Those who have a desire to be justified by Law cannot long dwell with those who are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-10). There is an inheritance ahead for which those under Law are not qualified. They are excluded because they have not been born of the Spirit. Their natures have not been changed, and they have no real appetite for eternal things. Those born of the Spirit want the real inheritance. Those born of the flesh do not. Thus Esau despised his birthright, while Jacob zealously sought for it.

I will tell you that a zeal for the inheritance cannot be produced by Law. There is no commandment that can make a person WANT the "eternal inheritance" that is reserved in heaven--and you cannot have it if you do not want it! But, when a person is "born of the Spirit," and becomes a "child of promise," he longs for the inheritance. He has been born to possess it. He has an appetite that can be satisfied with nothing less.

Mark it well, the "children of promise" are heirs! It is no trinket or novelty to which they have been called. They are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17). It is not possible to conceive of anything greater! This is to inherit the Lord Himself! It is to inherit all things with Jesus, for He is the "Heir of all things" (Heb 1:2). Free and unlimited access to the Living God! Freedom to participate in His "eternal purpose," world without end! The children of promise are themselves the Lord's inheritance--His Personal possession!

Ultimately, every element of separation will be dissolved between God and the "children of promise." There will be nothing about them that is not godly, no aspect of their person that is recalcitrant or wayward. When they fully inherit the Lord, they will no longer be required to subdue a part of their nature. In such a condition, they will be able to "inherit the earth," "judge the world," and "reign with Christ" (Matt 5:5; I Cor 6:1-2; 2 Tim 2:12). How glorious is there freedom now, and the best is yet to come.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You through Jesus for liberating me to occupy the heavenly realms!

-- Tomorrow: WHEN JOY INTERFERES --